Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Feb 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Scotland
Posts: 5
BMW F800GS with pillion?

Can anyone help me here?

I am hoping to eventually go on a trip from South America to Canada with my girlfriend and was looking at a BMW F800GS

Is the bike to small to carry all of our gear as well as a pillion passenger?

I am 5'9 and think that a BMW 1200GS would be too big for me,

I still have to sit my test (currently on a 125) and my only motorcycle travel adventure was on a Minsk in Vietnam in which I was in an accident which involved a lot of bribes!

any advice would be much appreciated

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Feb 2012
Endurodude's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Middle England, UK
Posts: 457
I don't think it's necessarily too small at all (I ride one), but it depends on what / how much you intend to carry and whether you intend to camp (extra gear). I use 2 hard panniers and an Ortlieb bag (camping) on the back and, with some rearranging, could fit 2 people.

I agree that a 1200 might be a little too much. I've ridden both the 1200 and 800 GS's; both felt like they had the same power (although the 1200 has more, it's also heavier) and I thought the 800 was a more manageable bike all round (for me - I'm 6') - I also found it the more fun of the two! 60mpg doesn't hurt, either!

The 800 is a TALL bike; You might also consider a lowering kit, if it's not already fitted.

You could persuade your other half to take a test as well . This might solve the problem!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 Feb 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 24
Theres lots of stories on ADVrider of people riding 2up on 800gs with no problems, fully loaded.


HAve u thought about the tiger 800? thats an excellent bike too with lots of power and space.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 Feb 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 24
Look for
Spain, Siberia, mongolia, pamir 2011 ... and back
on ADVrider ride reports, thats one currently going 2up on gs800



posted a link first but it was signed in as me :S
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Feb 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2
know what you ride..

I think the main thing really is to be comfortable with the bike you ride. I did south america on a GS 650 (no pillion) and I appreciated the light weight when off road.
On the other hand my everyday bike is a 1200GS, much heavier and taller (I am just 5,8) but I recently came back from a 4500km trip with a pillion (no off-road).
My suggestion is... get the bike months before you leave.
I had my GS for a few years now, all the mods I have done where suggested by experience and things I wanted to change/improve.
Make sure you have enough time to know your bike and make sure you do any modification well ahead the day of departure.
Once you are "comfortable" it wont really matter the engine displacement.

I do recommend tho metal panniers... the Vario style ones tho great for everyday use and city rides are not the best on long rough roads...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Feb 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 1
Thumbs up Which bike

Hello from New Mexico. I own an 800 GS and a 1200 GS Adventure. I have ridden two up on both bikes, and just returned from a two-up trip in Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. I love my 800 GS for solo off-road touring, and for short two-up rides. However, for a ride such as you are planning, I would use a 1200 GS (not Adventure). You can get a lowered seat in necessary, and your lady will be significantly more comfortable. You will have short spots of difficult riding, but with the correct tires, the 1200 GS will do fine. I would recommend the 800 if you were planning lots of single and two-track trails with big rocks where the 21 inch front wheel would be advantageous, but that would not be two-up.

Good luck. It will be a fabulous trip!

Therandyman
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Feb 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 7
Quote:
Originally Posted by New_biker View Post
Can anyone help me here?

I am hoping to eventually go on a trip from South America to Canada with my girlfriend and was looking at a BMW F800GS

Is the bike to small to carry all of our gear as well as a pillion passenger?

I am 5'9 and think that a BMW 1200GS would be too big for me,

I still have to sit my test (currently on a 125) and my only motorcycle travel adventure was on a Minsk in Vietnam in which I was in an accident which involved a lot of bribes!

any advice would be much appreciated

Cheers
i can confirm the F800 GS will not be small at all. if you prepareit correct it will do the job you need.
i did 1800 miles with a passenger + her stuff while i was on a 15 thousand mile trip...
more details on my website below
__________________
http://heesopedia.com/ - EVERY DAY IS A RIDING DAY
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 26 Feb 2012
Banned
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 973
Hi,

I would use a cheaper and more trust worthy bike such as Honda Transalp etc. I have been traveling together with my girlfriend + camping stuff on a transalp with no problems. The F800GS is know for engine trouble with less then 100.000 km. Thats why i would never by one.

Greetings, Tobi
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 27 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: London
Posts: 286
I spent a month around Europe with a pillion on a BMW 650 single. It wasn't too small at all but I would have liked more power at times. I was carrying a lot of gear and while we managed on dirt roads it was uncomfortable. Offroad with less weight the bike was awesome.
I have to echo the other comments though. The 800gs is not reliable. They have multiple issues, I had one myself and have been in touch with other riders who used them and they're not great. The Tiger is also not great. It's worth thinking about other bikes. The 650 rotax engine is more reliable and while it's not as powerful it makes up for it nicely with the economy and the range increase you get. Also as a novice rider maybe the G650gs would be a better buy? I met a guy who did years on the road with the old Dakar and it never went wrong. I met a guy 2 years on the road on the 800, it broke down 17 times. Sadly I had many of the same issues with mine but with the rotax engine, it was hassle free.
You need to be comfortable on the machine. We went through Pakistan and hit some offroad stuff. It was great fun and mine was faster and more agile over it than the KTM990 I was riding with (just don't) but we were followed by a 3 wheeled car from Russia which more or less did the trip in the same time we did. Anything is capable of this if you modify your driving style. You'll have to anyway with a pillion.
I guess I'm saying, do your homework. Every bike is a compromise so figure out what's most important to you and accept the weaknesses for what they are when you prep for your trip.
Have fun!

As an add-on I met a guy on a Transalp. It did the job but he said it didn't have enough character and he didn't care about it. Another guy did it on an Africa twin... he flew it home to sell it because, again, it was souless. It's probably more important than anything else to love your bike, whatever bike it is.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 27 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by New_biker View Post
Can anyone help me here?

I am hoping to eventually go on a trip from South America to Canada with my girlfriend and was looking at a BMW F800GS

Is the bike to small to carry all of our gear as well as a pillion passenger?

I am 5'9 and think that a BMW 1200GS would be too big for me,

I still have to sit my test (currently on a 125) and my only motorcycle travel adventure was on a Minsk in Vietnam in which I was in an accident which involved a lot of bribes!

any advice would be much appreciated

Cheers
You don't say when you are aiming to take off on this trip but there are a whole load of factors in this question, apart from the bike that you might eventually use.
What I do suggest is that you do some research in here about the other threads and ride reports, and blogs, which will tell you how other folks are doing with riding two up over long distances.
The HUBB is full of this invaluable information, first hand, on just about every aspect of what you are considering to do - for one, sound out your girlfriend about taking her own bike licence test and riding her own bike.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 27 Feb 2012
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Its a matter of what bike fits YOU, after you have been riding for a while you will form your own ideas, as mentioned EVERY bike is a compromise.

We did 22,000 kms in SAmerica 2up on a DR650, it can be done, but 650's with their shorter frame are a little cramped for 2up riding, the 800 GS by comparison has plenty of room for 2up and gear.

We thought we were having it tough on the DR until we met a Czech couple on an Enfield Bullet 350 in the middle of nowhere on stock tyres in Bolivia.....Respect!

If you are not too tall it is perfectly feasable, singles are cheaper to buy and maintain and will take a beating, the DR averaged around 70 MPG (UK gallons) or 4 Litres/100.

If you have a tight time contstraint then the 800 might be better for faster more relaxed cruising on highways and taking 2 bikes is an option, my wife rides, but did not feel comfortable riding in Latin America and taking one bike was a lot cheaper, but its harder to get to some places 2up.
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 6 Mar 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Aus. Qld. Mackay
Posts: 474
2up

Get a Corbin seat !!!! You'll get lucky every night !!
__________________
....rather Die Living.....than Live Dying !
www.globetrekkers.net.au
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Wanted: BMW aluminum side cases / panniers for F800GS Peter Bodtke TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 1 29 Jan 2012 19:29

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:03.